Islamic Republican Party

The Islamic Republican Party (IRP) was a political party in Iran that existed from 17 February 1979 to 1 June 1987. Founded by Iranian Revolution leaders Mohammad-Javad Bahonar, Mohammad Beheshti, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ali Khamenei, and Abdolkarim Mousavi-Ardabili and led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, the IRP was known for its Islamic clericalism, its loyalty to Khomeini's theocracy, its opposition to liberalism, and its support for anti-poverty and anti-big business campaigns. The party was divided over its views on isolationism versus globalization and planned economy versus state capitalism, using the one-party state law to maintain power while arguing over policy. The dispute between President Khamenei and Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi led to a split in the party, as did the asssassinations of Bahonar, Beheshti, and Mohammad-Ali Rajai by the socialist MEK. The party was dissolved in 1987 due to internal conflicts.